France: New views of Paris from Tour Saint-Jacques

Dhananjay Khadilkar

Tour Saint-Jacques, or the St. James Tower, is in the geographic heart of Paris in the 4th arrondissement. The Gothic tower was built in the 16th century and is about 177 feet tall, the equivalent of about 16 stories.

Tour Saint-Jacques, or the St. James Tower, is in the geographic heart of Paris in the 4th arrondissement. The Gothic tower was built in the 16th century and is about 177 feet tall, the equivalent of about 16 stories. (Dhananjay Khadilkar)

Here's a different view from Paris, one you won't get from the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe. It's the Tour Saint-Jacques, from which you can get stunning, exclusive views of the French capital. It's the first time in 500 years that public visits to the tower have been allowed, but they are available only through Sept. 15. Here's what I saw on a recent visit. -- Dhananjay Khadilkar